Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
11 March 1998
The last in a series of public discussions on reconciliation hosted by the TRC will be held in Cape Town on Thursday, 12 March.
A wide range of themes relating to reconciliation have been discussed by both panelists and the public at previous meetings during the last year, organised to raise awareness and generate public interest in the difficult task of reconciling a divided nation.
"While the process of truth-telling and verifying the truth in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been fairly straightforward, the notion of reconciliation presents some serious challenges", says Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, member of the Human Rights Violations Committee.
"The crucial question now is whether the reams of data produced by the Commission from victims and perpetrators, will on their own, help us realise the vision of a commonly shared identity as a nation."
The discussion, entitled Transforming Society Through Reconciliation: Myth or Reality?, will be led by a panel, and will take place in the Old Town House in Green Market Square between 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m.
The panelists will include : Mr Wynand Malan, commissioner in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, head of the African Studies department at UCT, and Rev. Rowan Smith, dean of the St Georges Cathedral.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Media can call Christelle Terreblanche for more information on 0824588461.